The Bill proposes that the CER be given the statutory power to oversee the sustained harmonisation of the safety and technical standards of the electrical contracting industry in Ireland. To ensure best consumer protection, the Bill proposes to make it an offence for an unregistered contractor to carry out any electrical work. All electricians and electrical contractors will be obliged to register with the supervisory bodies regardless of whether they work full-time or part-time as electricians. There is no reason why the standards of care or supervision for consumers using electrical contractors should differ depending on the type of contractor they hire. The standards should be consistent and should apply to all electricians and contractors.